Ex-Bosnian army commander pleads not guilty

SARAJEVO, Bosnia-Herzegovina (AP) — A former Bosnian army commander pleaded not guilty to charges of war crimes against civilians and prisoners of war during the country’s brutal 1992-95 war. Atif Dudakovic appeared before the Bosnian…

SARAJEVO, Bosnia-Herzegovina (AP) — A former Bosnian army commander pleaded not guilty to charges of war crimes against civilians and prisoners of war during the country’s brutal 1992-95 war.

Atif Dudakovic appeared before the Bosnian court on Wednesday. Fifteen others indicted with Dudakovic also denied the charges while one more ex-soldier is yet to enter his plea.

The indictment accuses the group in the killings of more than 300 Serbs, mostly elderly civilians and prisoners of war. Prosecutors have said they have more than 400 witnesses to back the case.

Dudakovic remains a hero to many in Bosnia because his 5th corps operated in the Bihac area, under Serb siege during most of the war, which killed around 100,000 people.